Ravens fan here. I hate this thread, because I know it's true. The NFL has become a watered-down arena league. Yeah I still watch. But it makes me sick to see all the drive-sustaining calls the offenses get these days. I think it is a result of a conscious decision by the NFL to bring in money by elevating idols like Manning and, worst of all, Brady. Defensive-oriented teams have tried to adjust but at the end of the day playing good old-school football doesn't get it done anymore.

I have no doubt that with 1970's rules and referees the last decade of football would have turned out very, very differently.